Your Bad Breath Could be Halitosis

October 16, 2015

Don’t let those around you suffer from your halitosis. Call your dentist today!

Sometimes bad breath is just a result of something you ate like garlic or onions. But if you have chronic bad breath, it could be the result of halitosis. Millions of people suffer from halitosis in the United States but many of those cover up the problem using gum or mints. But what is halitosis, what’s causing it, and how can you ditch the mints? Don’t give up hope yet, we have some information for you!

What is Halitosis?

Halitosis is caused by waste from the bacteria in your mouth that hasn’t been removed. Although halitosis is technically bad breath, it can be defined as chronic bad breath. Usually bad breath can be helped with your normal dental routine, but halitosis lingers and can become a permanent problem if it isn’t investigated.

Causes of Halitosis

Halitosis is an ongoing health or lifestyle issue at the origin of the foul breath. One medical condition of halitosis could be dry mouth caused by medications, smoking, and even mouth breathing. Dry mouth is caused by a lack of saliva in your mouth from one of these causes. Saliva is used to wash away foods and bacteria in your mouth. But when you don’t have enough saliva, the food and bacteria linger in your mouth causing bad breath. Halitosis can also be caused by dental problems such as gum disease and tooth decay. Dental problems encourage bacteria to hide in cavities or pockets around the gums caused by these issues. Seeing your dentist regularly can help prevent these dental issues from occurring and to help treat them if necessary. Medical problems are the last cause of halitosis. Some viruses and illnesses can cause halitosis, particularly if they are problems of the nose, sinuses, and throat. Bad breath can also be a sign of liver and kidney disease.

How to Take Care of It?

If your bad breath is a surface problem, you can help it with a strong dental routine including frequent and thorough brushing, flossing, tongue care, and mouth rinse. But if you suspect a deeper issue causing your halitosis, see your Annapolis Dental Care dentist about possible dental problems or see your primary care doctor about medical conditions that could be the cause of your halitosis.

Dental Care with Annapolis Dental Care

If you want to schedule your next visit, please contact Annapolis Family Dental Care by calling (410) 267-0766 or visit AnnapolisDentalCare.com today! We can give you more information, or schedule your appointment. Our diligent knowledge of all dental treatments and extensive experience in all fields of dentistry, ensure Annapolis Dental is best suited to care for your oral health. You can also follow Annapolis Dental Care on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.